Sustainable Development Officer (Chief, UNSDG Mechanism)

UN Secretariat; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

UN Secretariat in New York seeks a senior coordinator to manage the UNSDG Secretariat and ensure the effective functioning of the UN Sustainable Development Group. You will support the UNSDG Chair and Principals, prepare key meetings, and oversee guidance, tools, and interagency processes.

The role requires a Master’s degree and at least ten years in project management and interagency coordination, with strong leadership and data-analysis skills.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field (sustainable development, economics, public policy)
• First-level degree with significant qualifying experience may be accepted as an alternative
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in project management and interagency coordination
• Experience in UN policy-making, programming, strategy development and development system reforms is desirable

Responsibilities

• Lead the UNSDG Secretariat's effective functioning and work planning.
• Support meeting preparation, organize sessions, and coordinate with UNSDG Principals and member entities.
• Provide strategic direction, oversee outputs, guidance, and tools for UNSDG entities.
• Supervise staff and manage the Secretariat while coordinating with DCO teams on decisions and outreach

Skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Planning & organizing

Performance management

Data analysis

Stakeholder coordination

Change management

Analytical thinking

Education

Master's degree in Sustainable Development / Economics / Public Policy

Job description

Organizational context: The United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO), formerly DCO, operates as a stand-alone coordination office within the UN Secretariat. It manages the Resident Coordinator System (RCS) under the collective ownership of the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). UNDCO has undergone recalibration to support the 2030 Agenda and the UN 2.0 shift, focusing on data, digital, innovation, and strategic foresight. This role is situated within the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General.

Job purpose: This role is responsible for managing the UNSDG Secretariat and ensuring the effective functioning of the UN Sustainable Development Group, particularly its Principals. The incumbent will support the UNSDG Chair and Principals in preparing key meetings, providing strategic direction, and overseeing the implementation of decisions. This includes coordinating guidance, tools, and products for UNSDG entities, and offering substantive support to interagency and intergovernmental processes like the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review. The position also involves advising senior management on strategic priorities, conducting outreach, monitoring cost-sharing commitments, and leading team efforts in data analysis for planning and reporting, aligning with the UN 2.0 framework.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include leading the UN Sustainable Development Group's effective functioning and work planning, especially for UNSDG Principals. This involves supporting meeting preparation, organizing sessions, and coordinating with member entities. The role entails direct line management of the Secretariat, providing strategic direction and oversight. It requires close collaboration with DCO teams to monitor and implement UNSDG Principal decisions, ensuring timely delivery of guidance and tools. Substantive support for interagency and intergovernmental processes, including policy reviews, is crucial. The incumbent will supervise the preparation of written outputs, advise senior management on strategic positioning, and conduct outreach to UNSDG focal points. Monitoring cost-sharing commitments, staff supervision and development, and staying abreast of emerging trends are also key duties. The role involves quality assurance of inputs, ensuring message consistency, and leading data analysis for planning and reporting.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in a relevant field such as sustainable development, economics, public policy, or social sciences is required. A first-level university degree combined with significant qualifying experience may be accepted as an alternative.

Work experience: A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management, interagency coordination, or development system reforms is required. Five years of experience coordinating system-wide development reforms and managing the Resident Coordinator system is also necessary. Experience in UN policy-making, programming, strategy development, and UN development system reforms is essential. Experience managing large, multicultural teams is desirable.

Skills: Professionalism, teamwork, planning and organizing, performance management, and leadership are core competencies. Specific skills include applying sustainable development concepts, analytical and evaluative skills for research, data collection, and problem-solving. The ability to coordinate complex multi-stakeholder processes, manage staff effectively, and drive change is essential. Familiarity with UN development system reforms and data-driven planning is also important.

Required languages: English, French

Desired languages: